- South Korea’s central bank will launch a CBDC pilot in April 2025, involving 100,000 participants and major banks to test digital transactions.
- The pilot allows users to convert bank balances into digital tokens, use them at select merchants, and test real-time payment settlements.
The Bank of Korea (BOK) is planning to start a large-scale trial of its central bank digital currency (CBDC), called “Hangang.” Starting in April 2025, the program consists of 100,000 participants who will be able to access digital tokens as an alternative to regular financial transactions, according to Korea Times.
Seven main South Korean banks—including KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Hana, Woori, NH NongHyup, BNK Busan Bank, and Industrial Bank of Korea—are helping to conduct the trial.
How the CBDC Trial Will Work for Users
Participants will be able to trade balances from their regular bank accounts for digital tokens throughout the three-month trial period ending in June. These tokens can subsequently be used at several partner stores like Ediya Coffee, Kyobo Bookstore, Hanaro Mart, and 7-Eleven. Furthermore, accepted payments with the system will be e-commerce sites like Hyundai Home Shopping.
Its usefulness is limited, though. With a total transaction limit of five million won over the trial, each person can only possess a maximum of one million won (about $690) in digital tokens at any one time. Given this restriction, the BOK seeks to make sure CBDC use does not compromise the stability of the current financial system.
Enhancing Payment Efficiency with Digital Tokens
Starting this program was mostly driven by the desire to see if a CBDC system might streamline the payment and settlement processes. Transactions nowadays sometimes call for middlemen, which slow down the process and raise administrative expenses.
Real-time processing of transactions made possible by this token deposit system lets stores get payments faster without using traditional banking systems.
The BOK thinks that this approach will reduce the need of financial middlemen in regular transactions. Should the outcomes be favorable, this can be the first step towards CBDC’s general acceptance in South Korea.
South Korea’s Shifting Stance on Crypto Regulations
Regulations pertaining to digital assets in South Korea are also evolving while the BOK is working on a CBDC. The Financial Services Commission of South Korea stated on February 13 intentions to remove a rule forbidding financial institutions from trading cryptocurrency.
Should the policy be carried out, companies like law enforcement departments, charities, and colleges will be free to sell their digital assets in the first half of this year.
Conversely, tax laws are also beginning to become tighter. The city of Paju warned tax evaders in November 2024 that their crypto assets might be seized should their tax obligations not be paid off right away.
This move is a component of a larger nationwide campaign whereby tax officials have started focusing on people who conceal money under the shape of digital assets. Even major towns like Gangnam District in Seoul have started looking at almost 2,000 citizens allegedly storing their wealth in crypto.
Bitcoin Rejected, But Stablecoin Solutions Considered
As previously mentioned in our report, South Korea is becoming more receptive to digital assets; yet, the Bank of Korea still rejects Bitcoin as a foreign exchange reserve. The major causes are the great price volatility and accompanying financial risks.
Rather, analysts advise South Korea to create a won-based stablecoin that can link the world of digital assets with traditional finance.
Moreover, the CBDC project under development might provide the solution for the demand for a more consistent digital financial system. Supported by the government and banks, South Korea is ready to be among the nations leading in the acceptance of blockchain-based payment technology without depending on too volatile digital assets.
